Maddog's Blog

Stage III of LPGA Q-School is fast approaching, but I will not be teeing it up. I would like to explain why I have chosen to not play in Daytona next week.

My number one priority right now is to graduate from Nebraska. I am still enrolled in 12 credits, and Stage III falls just a few short weeks before final exams. If I were to attend, I would miss 7 days of school at a critical time in the semester When you add that to the 2 weeks of class I missed in September and October for Stages I and II, you get a lot of unhappy professors and one stressed senior. I am not willing to risk putting anything before my degree right now.

Second, the weather in Lincoln, Nebraska in late October and November simply does not allow me to practice and prepare like I need to for a tournament of this magnitude. Plus, school has kept me from traveling to any tournaments during the last month. This means I would be attending Stage III after more than 6 weeks without a tournament and limited practice time- not the way I want to approach an event where I have to place in the top 20 of approximately 150 girls to progress my career.

When I add all of these hurdles to the high cost of the tournament week ($4,000), playing in Stage III is simply not the right business decision for me this year. Instead, I will stick with the 2013 Symetra Tour Status that I earned by passing Stage II. The Symetra Tour is just what I need to develop my game as a professional in 2013. My goal will be to finish in the top 10 of the 2013 year-end money list, thereby earning my 2014 LPGA Tour Card.

After graduating from UNL on December 15th, I will return to Boise for Christmas and then move to Scottsdale in early January. I am incredibly excited for the next chapter of my life to begin and will keep you all informed once my tournament play resumes. As for right now, I am relishing every last day I have as a college student :)

I have to applaud the way you have thought this out. As much as getting on the LPGA Tour right now would be thrilling, the decision of getting your degree is probably the right decision at this time. Good luck in all your finals and for next year on the Symetra Tour next year. After watching a couple of your rounds I think you should do well

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Lori McKenna

11/19/2012 06:49:43 am

I'm proud of you Maddie. You are patient and mature enough to see both sides of a situation and make the right decision. Good luck on your finals. I know you'll pass with flying colors as always. We'll be cheering you on from California when you start the LPGA Tour! Much love and many blessings from The McKenna clan for a Happy Thanksgiving.

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Tom & JoAnn Fretz

11/20/2012 12:31:05 am

Congratulations on what sounds like a very sound decision, Maddie. Remember to contact us when you get to Arizona. Best of luck always!

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Bety Hill

11/20/2012 04:00:04 am

Maddie, your decision making shows the result of having great parents who were very supportive of you. I am sure they are so proud of you and your sister. Enjoy your final college days and enjoy your graduation. Welcome to post-graduate life.....may the wind be at your back always.

Good decision .A year on the symetra tour will give you a much better chance of going all the way next year.Having walked with you on day four at venice florida when the going got tough, the tough got going.the seven holes you played on the back nine were very speical to watch.Have a great year hope to see you in venice.(or will you make the top ten???)

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Debby Bird

11/21/2012 12:33:52 am

Wow Maddie, what a tough decision. You've now proven you not only have the ability to make it onto the LPGA but you have the brains, too. Enjoy these last few moments of college. We are so proud of you.

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Vicki and Bob

12/1/2012 03:00:24 am

Maddie -----
Your decision reflects your maturity and good judgement. It will certainly be to your long term advantage. We are very proud of your many successes as a scholar-athlete and your recent election to Phi Beta Kappa.
All the best.
--- Vicki & Bob

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Craig Burns

12/3/2012 05:21:36 am

As excited as we are about you heading to the LPGA, we applaud your focus on school and that degree, which will help you far into your career. With all the other important things going on in your life, maybe a little lower stress level is the right answer, right now. I know we're all very anxious to root you on!!!

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Sarah Sasse-Kildow

12/6/2012 01:43:14 pm

Good for you! I can honestly tell you that you will look back and have no regrets! Good luck with your finals, your golf career will await you with your degree in hand. Let me know if you need anything, I mean it. ;)